I'm looking at digital thermometers for measuring melted chocolate, and I'm a bit confused about the term "instant read." Are all digital thermometers instant read, or do some measure temps faster than others?

What would be a good reasonably priced all purpose digital thermometer for chocolate, oil, and meat?

Another feature of the more expensive one is that it can get an accurate reading with just the very tip of the probe. Other types require about an inch of the probe to be involved in the reading.

Either type of digital thermometer is more accurate than a dial type.

Thanks Andy! Would that type of thermometer work for measuring the temp of melted chocolate? The glass thermometers for candy seem very hard to read. I bought a CDN glass thermometer and am thinking of getting something else. I just don't know what would be easier to use.

Thanks Andy! Would that type of thermometer work for measuring the temp of melted chocolate? The glass thermometers for candy seem very hard to read. I bought a CDN glass thermometer and am thinking of getting something else. I just don't know what would be easier to use.

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It would work but may not be as convenient. A thermometer you can leave in the chocolate allows you to track the changes without having to stop what you're doing and stick an IR thermometer into the choice.

It would work but may not be as convenient. A thermometer you can leave in the chocolate allows you to track the changes without having to stop what you're doing and stick an IR thermometer into the choice.

This is the probe thermometer I have and I love it. I haven't used it for candy, but I've used it for deep frying. You can set both a low and high temperature alarm, timer, and the alarm has an adjustable volume so that even wearing hearing aids I can hear it anywhere in the house. You can buy many different probes for it - along with the standard one that comes with it, I also have the one for measuring air temps in my smoker and grill. Check it out anyway: Chef Alarm

This is the probe thermometer I have and I love it. I haven't used it for candy, but I've used it for deep frying. You can set both a low and high temperature alarm, timer, and the alarm has an adjustable volume so that even wearing hearing aids I can hear it anywhere in the house. You can buy many different probes for it - along with the standard one that comes with it, I also have the one for measuring air temps in my smoker and grill. Check it out anyway: Chef Alarm

This looks like a great thermometer. I checked out their website and it looks like they have a wonderful selection of thermometers based on cooking application and budget.

Does anyone use one other than in candy making? I mean when I got a digital scale, which I once thought were only owned by my college dorm neighbor 'mike' who you visited before you went to the Grateful Dead show, it totally kicked my baking up a notch, am I missing out on something serious?